Annual Return guide

Annual Return guide

Welcome to our step-by-step guide to completing your firm's Annual Return: taking you through each stage of the process, from logging in to the Firms Portal to completing the Valuer Registration Return.

For convenience, the Annual Return is split into sections. When you have completed a section its status will change to ‘Ready to Submit’. When all sections have been completed, the 'Submit' button will appear and the return can be submitted to RICS Regulation.

You may find it useful to use the help tips in the Firms Portal as you complete each stage of the Annual Return. Our Rules of Conduct for Firms will also assist in completing the Annual Return.

We already hold some information from when you registered your firm or completed your last Annual Return. Please check the retained answers to ensure the information is still correct.

Does your firm hold clients’ money?

Firms holding clients’ money will be charged an annual regulatory review fee as well as the fee for the clients’ money insurance levy. They will receive an invoice based on the information provided in their Annual Return.

Return for all firms to complete

This section will enable you to provide generic information in respect of your firm as a whole.

principals: details of directors and principals.

training: firms must have procedures in place to make sure their staff are properly trained to do their work.

general: some general information about your firm and its staff (you may need to consult your fellow principals and professionals).

Regulated by RICS UK Return

This section will ask for regulatory details of the specific area in which your firm trades. This will include the following matters:

activities: you will be able to advise us about the surveying services provided by your firm.

professional indemnity insurance: you may find it useful to have a copy of your certificate or cover note to hand.

complaints: the Rules of Conduct for Firms state that all firms shall operate a complaints handling procedure. You will be required to confirm your firm’s approved redress mechanisms.

general insurance mediation work: members of the RICS Designated Professional Body scheme, for regulation of teir firm’s general insurance mediation work, will be ask for some information regarding this.

clients’ money: if you hold clients’ money, we will need information about your client accounts over the last 12 months. When you complete this section, it may be helpful to have the accounts to hand, or a member of your accounts team to assist.